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Sea Kayaking

Open Recreation Pool Session

Use our gear to practice and strengthen your paddling skills during this 1.5 hour session at the University of Calgary pool. Formal/paid instruction is not allowed. To reserve a spot, call Active Living Client Services at 403.220.7749. 14+. Prerequisite: ability to do a braced entry and wet exit. Clean personal boats and solo canoes are welcome. Includes: river/sea kayaks, paddles, spraydecks.

Sea Kayaking Complete Beginner Weekend

This beginner course will take you through the fundamentals of sea kayaking in one fun weekend. On Wednesday or Thursday evening we’ll cover rescue skills in the pool. Then Saturday we head to Glenmore Reservoir for an introduction to paddling skills. We'll cover gear, clothing and food that will help you prepare for a trip. We'll finish the weekend with a day tour to beautiful Barrier Lake in Kananaskis. This is everything you’ll need in one weekend. Prerequisite: none. Includes: instructor, all sea kayaking gear.

Sea Kayak Lecture Series

Register in our new Sea Kayak Lecture Series and get all 4 lectures for $100.00. In each series you get the Sea Kayak Gear Clothing and Food, Sea Kayak Navigation, Reading tide and Current Tables and the Weather lectures for one price.

Sea Kayak Gear, Clothing & Food

In this evening lecture, you'll learn the basics of clothing/gear selection and menu-planning for a sea kayaking trip. We'll also look at packing strategies and waterproofing. Discover how to get it all in your kayak and still have room for a surprising variety of quality food. Prerequisite: none. Includes: instructor, course materials.

Sea Kayak Navigation (Chart & Compass)

Learn how to read a nautical chart and use a marine compass—a basic must-have skill for all sea kayakers. In this 2-hour clinic, an experienced instructor will teach you everything you need to know. Don’t wait until you are at the water’s edge to figure out where you are going. Prerequisite: none. Includes: instructor, course materials.

Reading Tide & Current Tables

Do you know that on the West Coast there are four tides daily? In this 2-hour clinic, sea kayakers learn the importance of tides, how to read tide and current tables and discover how they affect planning a paddling trip. Prerequisite: none. Includes: instructor, course materials.

Weather Interpretation for Sea Kayaking

In this evening lecture, you'll learn the basics of weather interpretation for sea kayaking. We'll discover how to use a VHF Marine Radio to get marine conditions and weather forecasts. We will learn how to use this data to plan our time on the water. Weather on the ocean can change fast, know what to expect and stay safe.

Fun Paddle

We’ll bring the boats! Our Fun Paddles at Glenmore Reservoir make it easy to get out on the water and keep active. An instructor will help you launch a boat and give some quick pointers to get you paddling. The session is 2.5 hours but advanced registration is required so we can get the boats organized. Beginners welcome. Prerequisite: none. Includes: instructor, all kayaking gear.

Broken Group Islands Camping Tour

Join us for a classic 5-day sea kayaking tour in the Broken Group Islands of Pacific Rim National Park. We'll introduce you to a world of intricate waterways, towering cliffs and white sandy beaches. Explore tidal pools and peaceful lagoons, and discover the diverse marine wildlife of Barkley Sound. The 40 islands and 80 islets provide relatively calm waters for beginners and longer days for those more experienced. We'll camp at several different beaches or set up a base camp to explore the area. Prerequisite: none. Includes: guide, all kayak/group cooking gear, cook shelter, park/camping fees, and a scenic 3-hour return boat ride out of the Alberni Inlet.

Broken Group Islands Lodge-Based Tour

Discover marine wildlife on the West Coast with a picturesque lodge as your homebase. In this 5-day sea kayaking tour, explore the Broken Group Islands in Barkley Sound—famous for its intricate waterways, towering cliffs, white sandy beaches and tidal pools. Relax in the fully-appointed Sechart Lodge and share your experiences with fellow paddlers from the deck overlooking the inlet, and sleep in a warm bed each night. This fully-appointed lodge offers home-cooked meals and a hot tub. Prerequisite: none. Includes: guide, all kayak gear, Sechart Lodge fees, all meals, ferry passage from Port Alberni.

Sea Kayaking Day Tour - Barrier Lake

Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy a relaxing day of sea kayak touring at Barrier Lake—surrounded by our spectacular Rocky Mountains. You'll learn and practice the basic strokes needed for flatwater while we paddle around the lake. Our selection of single and double kayaks provides options for everyone. Prerequisite: Sea Kayak Introduction recommended. Includes: instructor, all sea kayaking gear.

Slocan Lake, BC Paddle and Hike - Sea Kayak

Located in the beautiful Kootenays, this 39km long lake is surrounded by scenic mountains. Over 5 days (including driving), we'll paddle along the west bank in Valhalla Provincial Park and enjoy beach camping only accessible by water. Stunning waterfalls and hiking opportunities will add more variety to this paddling trip. Prerequisite: Sea Kayaking Introduction recommended. Includes: guide, all kayaking/group camping gear.

North Coast on Vancouver Island

An Outer Coast Expedition that transitions between rugged north Island coastline, sweeping beaches of Cape Scott Provincial Park and the enchanting group of protected islands in God’s Pocket. Located at the entrance to Queen Charlotte Strait, in the heart of Kwakwaka’wakw traditional territory, this cultural landscape is rich in marine mammals and wildlife. Departing from Port Hardy, this trip has a nice relaxed pace, and offers true adventure for those seeking a longer expedition style trip. Offered in conjunction with Gabriola Sea Kayaking. Prerequisite: previous tripping and paddling experience. Includes: guide, all kayak gear, group cooking gear/cook shelter, park and camping fees.

Assistant Overnight Guide Certification Course

Gabriola Sea Kayaking's Sea Kayak Guides Alliance of BC (SKGABC) Assistant Overnight Guide (AOG) courses are designed for aspiring sea kayak guides and individuals seeking to increase their skills and knowledge of sea kayaking, assist guiding groups in class two and three waters and lead groups in class one waters. This program is not just for guides, everybody is welcome and you are not required to be an expert, In fact, most people are not. Course curriculum will adhere to SKGABC Standards. Certification can act as a stepping stone to higher level SKGABC certification.Course Length: This intensive course will occur over 9 days in a wilderness setting on Gabriola Island and Clayoquot Sound.Prerequisite: none Includes: guide, all kayak gear, group cooking gear/cook shelter, park and camping fees.

South Saskatchewan River, AB

The South Saskatchewan River is a beautiful prairie river with deep valley walls and badland scenery. We will be doing a stretch near Medicine Hat and it is a fantastic trip to view wildlife and birds. You will have the opportunity to hike or just relax at each campsite. We will paddle through Prairie Coulees Natural Area and random camp along the river. This trip is for those who want to learn & develop trip planning & canoe handling skills in a calm river situation.

Green River, Utah

Explore the Labyrinth Canyon on the Green River in Utah with us. On this 10-day canoe trip we'll have 7 days of floating through red canyons and stunning desert landscapes. You'll be awe-inspired by the magnificent canyon walls that tower over your small canoe. There is great camping in the side canyons, and we will have plenty of time to explore. We’ll also get the chance to hike the trail that ascends the canyon wall to view Bowknot bend. Prerequisite: Canoeing A recommended. Includes: guide, canoe/group gear, transportation from Calgary, camping fees, permits. *Participants will need a valid passport.

Columbia River Wetlands, BC - Sea Kayak

A birding paradise! Join us for an overnight sea kayak trip away from civilization in the warm valley of the Rocky Mountain trench. We'll paddle through bird-filled marshes and down the Columbia Valley which boasts spectacular mountain views. There are so many photo opportunities on this easy paddling trip—making it perfect for families. Prerequisite: Sea Kayaking Introduction or equivalent experience, pretrip meeting. Includes: guide, all kayak/group camping gear.

Red Deer River, AB: Big Valley to Morrin Bridge - Sea Kayak

The gentle section of the Red Deer River from Big Valley to Morrin Bridge features desert-like badlands scenery. We'll start Friday evening and spend the weekend developing paddling and camping skills while we take in the beautiful landscape—perfect for the whole family. From camp, hike up into the hoodoos and search for dinosaur bones. Prerequisite: Sea Kayaking Introduction recommended. Includes: guide, all kayaking/group camping gear.

Sea Kayak Roll - Pool Clinic

Learning to roll a sea kayak could get you out of a sticky situation on the ocean. Receive step-by-step instruction in this 2-hour clinic to help you complete your first roll in the safety of the University of Calgary pool. A great confidence builder! Prerequisite: River Kayak Roll Introduction if rolling is a new skill for you. You may wish to bring a nose plug. Includes: instructor, all sea kayaking gear.